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❝ The Passing of A Legend - Subaru ❞

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The silence of night hovered upon Ensemble Square, shunning the idol housing in eery deprivation. Nonetheless, such an atmosphere could be viewed as comforting.

Grrrr...

Peering down, you cocked your head at the dog near your legs. You immediately recognized Subaru's pup, smiling down at it relief.
"What's going on, Daikichi?" You pat its fluffy head, chuckling a tad. The soft fur between your fingers was pleasant, but alas, there was something distressing the pupper.
Daikichi, usually a friendly and energetic dog, shrouded into the shadows; tail sinking between its stocky legs. With an uneasy whimper, the pup began to pant anxiously.

"Producer!"

Hollered the voice of a familiar idol. You perked your head, though not in what would have been happiness. Anxiety washed over you whilst you sprinted up to Hokuto of Trickstar—Daikichi in close pursuit—.
"Hokuto, what happened?" Urgency in your tone, you watched the black-haired idol attempt to catch his breath.
Breathlessly, he hissed out the word; "death.."
Having heard enough, you nodded your head. "Breathe for a moment, then lead the way."
"Yes, sir." Hokuto sprung up, as if a dehydrated plant receiving water. Shooting out of the lobby in a blur of speed, he departed with you in tow. And, of course, Daikichi wasn't far behind.

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"Thank god, Hokuto!" Hollered an idol by the name of Mao, someone who seemed rather panicked; though everyone was this way.
"What happened, Mao?" You questioned, stepping forth in the calmest manner you could possibly manage in this situation. Daikichi leapt forth, growling angrily at Mao.

"Easy, Daikichi," Mao raised a hand, shaking his head. As Hokuto disappeared in the makeup room, Mao approached you to speed you up. "I'll, uh, whisper this. You know mister Akehoshi..?"

"There's no goddamn way." In pure shock, you muttered the first words that came to mind. How had it happened? Had Daikichi come to warn you?
Mao nodded, eyes sunken with sorrow. "Uh, I can't tell you how Subaru's taking it."
"Oh, god," you shook your head slowly. "Do you know where he is, Mao?"

"Makeup room, probably hiding somewhere. He said he didn't want anyone to see him, he went to the last place we would check," Mao briefly explained; a major help. "Not too many people, don't bombard him."
"I got it," you pat Mao's head. "Thanks, Mao! I'm sorry about all of this. C'mon, Daikichi!"
Charging into the room, you halted in the doorway. Daikichi charged on its fuzzy paws, lurching into Subaru's arms. Licking his cheeks, the dogs tail wagged in a blur of fluff. You exchanged a concerned glance with Hokuto, who was crouched beside the ball of orange hair.
"Akehoshi," spoke the young man. "I know you're not okay, so forget asking that. Tell me, can you breathe?"
Trembling visibly, the poor boy whimpered; sniveling as he attempted to utter a response. "I-I'm managing.." he laughed awkwardly, probably attempting to play off his anguish.
"We brought the Producer here," Hokuto softly informed his unit member. "Would you like to be alone with them?"

Head nodding as best he could from his curled-up state, Subaru shook violently. His face was buried in the fur coat of his beloved companion, but not even Daikichi's efforts could soothe the grieving star. Hokuto pat his friends head. "I'm sorry, Akehoshi."
"I-I.. It's okay. Thanks, Hok—"

Hokuto gave you a curt nod of approval, as if entrusting his life to you. Nodding back to him, you watched him leave; peering over your shoulder as he shut the door behind himself. Daikichi was whining aloud, as if returning Subaru's cries.
"Hey," your pillowy voice said, making a best effort to comfort the idol. Your chest wrenched as Subaru clung to Daikichi, lifting his head; jaws agape, tears streaming, all to spiral into shrieks. Eyebrows knitting with pain for him, you watched Daikichi lurch from his arms. The dog sniffed its beloved owner, though even it was startled by him. You pat the pups head as a reassurance technique, afterwards placing a gentle hand on Subaru's head; burying your appendages into his soft hair of orange.
Hyperventilating and practically suffocating on sobs, Subaru shakily placed his hand into yours. A very sweaty hand, might I add. You stroked his hand with your thumb, smiling at him. "Good, breathe."
As if unable to inhale, Subaru exhaled in violent sobs, attempting to dry his eyes with the back of your palms. It deeply pained you to see this, especially from Subaru. The one who is always smiling, tugging people into hugs, and even giving high-fives.
Realizing that he prioritizes gifting physical affection, you heaved a courage-gathering sigh moments before tugging Subaru into your arms. You held his head, gently rubbing his back. "It's okay, it's okay.." you whispered to him.

Tremors shooting down his spine, he wailed as he clutched your clothing. He tucked his face into your neck, laying half-on the floor and half-in your lap. You curled around his head, petting his hair in a soothing, melodic manner.
"Shhhh.. you're okay. It's going to be okay. It's okay. It's okay to cry, just breathe. Breathe." You began to sway to and fro, in a gentle, almost motherly motion. It was like cradling the most vulnerable of treasures, struggling to keep it in one piece as it slowly shatters.
Pieces fall, tears turning your shoulder into a towel, you began to hold him tighter. "Love," you whispered, heaving a near-tears sigh yourself. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.."

Pressing his fists to his chest, Subaru pressed close to your chest. "AGHH-! WHY?! WHY, WHY, WHY?!" His voice broke as he cried out, screaming and bawling.
As you began to break down yourself, you secured him to your chest. Shutting your eyes sent tears gliding down your cheeks. "It's okay, it's okay.." you whispered. "Subaru.. I'm so sorry."

The tension between him pressing into you combined with the strength behind your embrace was nearly overwhelming, but it was entirely necessary. Your arms snaked around his sides, squeezing him a tad.
"I HATE THE STUPID, GODDAMN WORLD!" Subaru screamed, afterwards whining as he was forced back into your arms. Now, this was the worst idea possible for the situation. When a person is in hysterics, the last thing you do is restrain them; it panics them further. But if his stage of rage were to escalate, you feared he would end up hurting himself.
"Shh, shh, you're okay," you slid a hand on his cheek, wiping away his tears. "It'll be alright." You placed your hand against his chest, feeling his palpitating heart-rate.

"Producer," whined the sobbing idol in your arms. "I-I'm not gonna make it—.. no—!" He clung to your arm.
"Don't leave me! Please..! Don't leave!"
Hand rubbing at his chest, you kissed his head. "It's okay, I'm not going anywhere," you then proceeded to pet his head. "Yeah, see? Good job." You praised him as he began to regulate his breathing.
"I-I'm sorry, Producer.." Subaru whimpered.
"You're going through something. A big something. I know your love language is touch, so I'll keep giving you pets. Okay?"
"Yeah, please.." he nuzzled into your hand.

You pained to hold him even closer, though that seemed impossible. You longed to stroke his soft, fluffy hair and hear him breathe normally. You longed to bring him comfort through this, but if not even Daikichi could do it, that seemed like an implausible goal for you.
"Subaru," You paused. He didn't seem to be responding. "Subaru?"
He looked almost dazed, though terrified. Swaying, he leaned into you. "I-it's.. going dark.."
"You're not breathing," you gently reminded him. "With me."
You inhaled deeply. After a few moments, Subaru copied. His face was colorless and ghastly, the most sickly you'd ever seen him. It appeared as though he'd puke at any given moment, that or pass out. You would much rather neither.

"I'm here," you softly said. "Here, do you need something?"
"Just hold me tighter, please." Replied Subaru.
Embracing him, you leaned back a bit. It seemed better to not sit him so up-right, where he was beginning to sway with unsteadiness. Daikichi laid down beside its owner, whining aloud.
As if an off-button, you kissed Subaru's forehead. He then shut his eyes, roughly hyperventilating in your lap. Assuming he was beginning to nod off from lack of oxygen as well as fatigue, he began to doze off. Though still having hell handed to him, he seemed calm enough to be lulled into slumber.

"Good job. Good boy, Subaru!" You praised him, petting his hair. "I love you. I'll be here when you wake up, so let your body recover."
"Hmm.." was his only response as he calmed down.